The following are summaries of today's major stories published in the
Arabic press. LBCI does not edit press digest articles for content,
giving English-language readers insight into the various views expressed
in newspapers across the Arab world.
Kataeb
party leader Amine Gemayel told
As-Safir daily that the defense strategy has
multiple components and does not center only on “arms”.
Gemayel
voiced fear that dialogue be used for personal considerations, stressing that
talks will be productive only if parties show good faith and a sense of responsibility.
The
Kataeb leader expressed readiness to meet with Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan
Nasrallah, saying “we do not [close the door] on anyone; I thereby do not oppose
a meeting between me and Sayyed Nasrallah to be held after well considering its
circumstances in order to [yield optimal results].”
Lebanese
Forces leader Samir Geagea confirmed to
Okaz daily that the dialogue called for
by the president will not yield any results due to the positions taken by parties
concerned with dialogue.
Geagea
stressed that “the political game in Lebanon is unbalanced and the political
atmosphere is unhealthy since Hezbollah, through its military force, is
throwing its weight around to alter the [nature] of the political game and pressure
many of its players.”
An-Nahar
daily learned from participants in Monday’s dialogue session that talks saw
heated debates.
The
daily added that discussions on the issue of arms raised tension as accusations
flew thick mainly between former PM Fouad Siniora and MP Mohammad Raad.
According
to the daily, the debate has reshuffled priorities during yesterday’s session so
that the pressing item related to the spread of arms across Lebanese regions in
light of the deteriorating situation on the border and the north was discussed
ahead of the issue of the Hezbollah and Palestinian arms which was postponed
until the next session.
National
Struggle Front leaded MP Walid Jumblatt told
an-Nahar daily that the dialogue
session was “very good”, adding that the problem with some people is that “they
do not know how to break away from a history that, for them, is still frozen in time.”
Jumblatt added to the daily that the events in Tripoli
and the north constitute a dangerous wake-up call.
As-Safir
daily quoted Lebanese Forces members as saying that, only when Syrian President
Bashar Assad is ousted, a dialogue with Hezbollah will be productive and
serious.
The
LF members labeled March 14 forces as “schizophrenic”, adding that there is discrepancy
between the demands of the March 14 public and the decisions of its leaders.